Ante Palaversa, Topi Keskinen, Vicente Besuijen and Kevin Nisbet all struck within the second half as Aberdeen defeated Dundee 4-1 at Pittodrie to maneuver high of the Scottish Premiership.
Simon Murray missed a penalty late within the first half for the guests however partially atoned with a header to make it 2-1 halfway by means of the second interval.
Besuijen, although, netted only a minute later to revive Aberdeen’s two-goal benefit earlier than Nisbet added the fourth late on to make sure Jimmy Thelin aspect’s 100 per cent report at house remained intact.
The victory lifts Aberdeen three factors away from Celtic on the summit and 12 factors away from third-placed Rangers, with each Glasgow groups in motion on Sunday afternoon.
How Aberdeen thumped Dundee
Aberdeen’s Topi Keskinen celebrates with Graeme Shinnie after scoring to make it 2-0 in opposition to Dundee
Aberdeen made two modifications from the aspect overwhelmed 6-0 by Celtic within the Premier Sports activities Cup semi-final. Out dropped Sivert Heltne Nilsen and Jamie McGrath, changed by Palaversa and Leighton Clarkson.
Dundee additionally made two switches following their win over Kilmarnock. Jordan McGhee and Josh Mulligan made the beginning line-up in substitute of Ethan Ingram and Antonio Portales.
The house aspect began promisingly. Jack MacKenzie’s effort from distance sailed excessive over the crossbar earlier than Oluwaseun Adewumi got here shut on the different finish after being picked out by Lyall Cameron’s looking ball.
Aberdeen responded and Duk’s try from a good angle was saved by Jon McCracken, earlier than one other drilled shot from the identical participant was equally repelled.
Dundee continued to look a menace on the break and from one other Cameron go, Murray might solely shoot into the goalkeeper’s arms.
The guests then wasted an excellent likelihood to go in entrance simply earlier than half-time. Gavin Molloy tried to shepherd the ball out for a goal-kick however ended up hauling down Murray within the course of. The striker took the penalty himself however Dimitar Mitov dived to his left to put it aside.
Aberdeen had one ultimate likelihood within the closing seconds of a frantic first half however once more McCracken was equal to Keskinen’s curling shot.
The house aspect made the breakthrough seven minutes into the second half. Clarkson’s nook was solely half-cleared and Palaversa pounced to thrash a shot previous McCracken.
Duk then hit the submit with a header earlier than Aberdeen grabbed their second objective within the 57th minute. Nicky Devlin’s throw-in was flicked on by Sokler and, after Clark Robertson tousled an tried clearance, Keskinen drilled a low effort into the far nook.
Dundee grabbed a lifeline when Murray atoned for his earlier penalty miss by heading Scott Tiffoney’s cross previous Mitov with 20 minutes remaining.
Hopes of a comeback, although, had been snuffed out inside 60 seconds. Nisbet, solely simply on the pitch, took a fast free-kick and fellow substitute Besuijen was onto it in a flash to complete.
Nisbet claimed his aspect’s fourth in added time, his shot taking a deflection off Ryan Astley on its well past McCracken.
